OPEN ACCESS: FEBRUARY 27, 2025
@ 7PM
I AM ARTE: A RITUAL EN LOVE WITH JENN JOHNS
“I Am Arte: a ritual en love” is the fourth and final installment in Jenn Johns’ nineyear series of transmutation rituals. This latest work is a ritual for self-love, created from the guiding belief that we can transform deep pain into healing through intentional reimagining. Designed to engage all the senses, this immersive experience gently encourages and disarms attendees, creating a safe space for them to explore and deepen their own love of self.
MEET THE ARTIST
Jennifer Johns, a beacon of multidisciplinary artistry, stands at the forefront of the global music and arts scene. Renowned as a dynamic vocalist, innovative songwriter, and inspiring producer, her impact transcends these titles, embodying a unique fusion of music, visual arts, and theater. Her work in social, environmental, and food justice cements her position not just as an artist, but as a visionary activist. Johns has captivated audiences worldwide, from Denver to Düsseldorf, Los Angeles to London, with her distinct blend of Afro-diasporic world music. She has shared stages with iconic artists like Ms. Lauryn Hill, Damian, Stephan and Ziggy Marley, Yasiin Bey, and Meshell Ndegeocello, and graced revered venues such as The Kennedy Center and The Apollo. Her performances are more than entertainment; they are powerful calls to unity and empowerment seasoned with sensuality and sass!
Johns’s artistic journey is marked by significant ventures into performance art and playwriting, notably with “Liv: A Ritual for Humanity” and her debut choreopoem, “reD:zONE”, produced by Kendra Kimbrough Barnes for KKDE. Her art transcends the stage, offering deep reflections on personal healing and societal transformation. As an advocate for environmental and food justice, her influence echoes in her collaborations with thought leaders like Cornel West. Jenn is also, and maybe most importantly, the founder of The F.U.N. Manifesto, a sustainable ecosystem powered by art and culture.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
There will never be enough words—or actions—to fully express my deep gratitude to Montalvo Arts Center and the Lucas Artists Program. Kelly Sicat, you have changed my life over and over again. I love you forever.
Deepest bows of gratitude to Emily Borchers—for our morning coffee, our tears, and our BIG LAUGHS! You already know how I feel about you. To Judy Dennis, for saying yes to loving me in such a short time—I’m coming for your sweaters!
To Donna Conwell, who found me singing on the streets of Oakland ten years ago: Thank you for seeing me and opening the gateway to this life-changing journey.
To all the artists and residents from these past months—your camaraderie and the way you sharpened my steel have made me better, more open-hearted, and more caring.
Thank you for helping me uncover new talents. Profound gratitude to Michele Guieu, Viviana Paredes, Jesse Gilbert, and Ghayath Almadhoun.
To the musicians—DJ Kiilu Grand, my brother for life—thank you for always making me feel safe. Eli Goldlink, Pete, and William Johnston Bohrer—thank you for accepting this assignment and bringing it to life.
To Isaiah, Lonnie, and the entire facilities team—your dedication and heart astound me. Thank you for your precision and care.
And to José, my cousin—I am so grateful I found you in this lifetime. What a blessing you are.
UPCOMING OPEN ACCESS
Denise Young When We Are Seen
In Conversation With Keith Yamashita
Thu, March 27 • 7pm • $10 (free for Montalvo members)
Join us for a book reading and conversation with Denise Young, author of When We Are Seen: How To Come Into Your Power —And Empower Others Along The Way
From one of the first and few women of color to reach the C-suite in Silicon Valley, Apple’s former chief of HR and first VP of Inclusion and Diversity, comes a heartfelt story of growing up Black and female in a world with little regard for either and a practical road map for embodying the best in yourself and emboldening others along the way.
For tickets and more information, visit montalvoarts.org/lit
ABOUT THE LAP
The Sally and Don Lucas Artists Residency Program (LAP) is a creative incubator and cultural producer dedicated to investing in artists and their work. We support visual artists, composers, writers, performers, scholars, and others from around the world to undertake critical investigations of contemporary issues, and to create and present new and experimental works.
Established in 1939, Montalvo Arts Center is home to the third oldest residency program in the United States. In 2004, Montalvo recommitted to its support of artists and opened a new, state-of-the-art facility, relaunching as the Sally and Don Lucas Artists Residency Program. The residency is dedicated to providing artists with a flexible and expansive space in which to create, encouraging the creative process, risk taking, collaboration, and time to develop new work, while offering opportunities to share ideas and projects with other artists, as well as through public programming and partnerships.
Listen to our new podcast You Can’t Eat Art by Marcus Curatorial Fellow Clara Kamunde. Steaming now on Spoitfy!
